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Their eyes widened as they returned a smile, a wave, and then, as the guest stepped on to the elevator and out of sight, they whispered to each other: "Was that Regis?"

Regis Philbin was in Spartanburg Saturday to speak at the Spartanburg Regional Foundation's annual Society of 1921 donor appreciation gala. Before the event, he toured the heart center, which opened in 1988.

"I've heard about Spartanburg over the years, but I didn't know much about it," said Philbin, who holds the Guinness World Record for most hours spent on television.

He became a household name while co-hosting "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee." After Kathie Lee Gifford left the show in 2000, Philbin continued the popular program with Kelly Ripa on "Live! with Regis and Kelly" until leaving in 2011. Other shows he has hosted include, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "Million Dollar Password," and the first season of "America's Got Talent."

"New York is so cold," he added. "To arrive in Charlotte (N.C.) and then drive down to Spartanburg, was awfully nice. I'm happy to be here."

Dr. Nalin Srivastava, cardiology consultant, and Josh Barone, charge nurse of the EP lab, led Philbin on the tour, accompanied by a slew of reporters and cameramen. They walked through the corridors of the more than 100,000-square-foot facility, making stops at the catheterization labs and the electrophysiology labs. Along the way, Philbin signed autographs, posed for photos, offered waves and smiles to patients, doctors and medical staff.

He also spoke, on several occasions, about how impressed he was with the city and the hospital. He said it's "almost unheard of" that a facility like Spartanburg Regional is in a community the size of Spartanburg.

"I'm very, very impressed with the hospital community here," he said. "And to walk through and see what is going on in every room and every section, it is just very impressive."

Six years ago, Philbin, 81, underwent a triple bypass surgery. So a heart center is something he has a personal connection with.

"Heart health is so important to me," he said. "It's very important that you get (surgery) done when you need it done. I enjoy knowing that this (heart center) is available to the people in the community."

The Spartanburg Regional Heart Center has provided services in the Upstate for more than 20 years. Its cardiac services range from outpatient procedures to cutting-edge surgeries, according to a news release.

Last year, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, owners of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, were the guests of honor for the foundation's annual donor appreciation gala. In 2011, actor Robert Duvall was featured.

Sheila Breitweiser, executive director of the foundation, said she was excited to get Philbin this year.

"He has a particular interest because of his own personal health history with heart disease, and that is such a huge issue in this community," she said. "Hopefully, him being here and his interest in heart health is going to raise awareness in this community."

After meeting the television icon, she said she was impressed by how genuinely interested he was in learning about Spartanburg and the hospital.

"He just kept saying how he couldn't believe we have a hospital like Regional in a city the size of Spartanburg. We hear that a lot, but to hear him say it, means a lot more," Breitweiser said. Philbin "is genuine. He's what you see on TV, he doesn't change when the camera is off."

<p>People in the waiting room at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System's Heart Center Saturday afternoon caught glimpse of a visitor being led through the halls.</p><p>Their eyes widened as they returned a smile, a wave, and then, as the guest stepped on to the elevator and out of sight, they whispered to each other: "Was that Regis?"</p><p>Regis Philbin was in Spartanburg Saturday to speak at the Spartanburg Regional Foundation's annual Society of 1921 donor appreciation gala. Before the event, he toured the heart center, which opened in 1988.</p><p>"I've heard about Spartanburg over the years, but I didn't know much about it," said Philbin, who holds the Guinness World Record for most hours spent on television.</p><p>He became a household name while co-hosting "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee." After Kathie Lee Gifford left the show in 2000, Philbin continued the popular program with Kelly Ripa on "Live! with Regis and Kelly" until leaving in 2011. Other shows he has hosted include, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," "Million Dollar Password," and the first season of "America's Got Talent."</p><p>"New York is so cold," he added. "To arrive in Charlotte (N.C.) and then drive down to Spartanburg, was awfully nice. I'm happy to be here."</p><p>Dr. Nalin Srivastava, cardiology consultant, and Josh Barone, charge nurse of the EP lab, led Philbin on the tour, accompanied by a slew of reporters and cameramen. They walked through the corridors of the more than 100,000-square-foot facility, making stops at the catheterization labs and the electrophysiology labs. Along the way, Philbin signed autographs, posed for photos, offered waves and smiles to patients, doctors and medical staff.</p><p>He also spoke, on several occasions, about how impressed he was with the city and the hospital. He said it's "almost unheard of" that a facility like Spartanburg Regional is in a community the size of Spartanburg. </p><p>"I'm very, very impressed with the hospital community here," he said. "And to walk through and see what is going on in every room and every section, it is just very impressive."</p><p>Six years ago, Philbin, 81, underwent a triple bypass surgery. So a heart center is something he has a personal connection with.</p><p>"Heart health is so important to me," he said. "It's very important that you get (surgery) done when you need it done. I enjoy knowing that this (heart center) is available to the people in the community."</p><p>The Spartanburg Regional Heart Center has provided services in the Upstate for more than 20 years. Its cardiac services range from outpatient procedures to cutting-edge surgeries, according to a news release.</p><p>Last year, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, owners of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, were the guests of honor for the foundation's annual donor appreciation gala. In 2011, actor Robert Duvall was featured.</p><p>Sheila Breitweiser, executive director of the foundation, said she was excited to get Philbin this year. </p><p>"He has a particular interest because of his own personal health history with heart disease, and that is such a huge issue in this community," she said. "Hopefully, him being here and his interest in heart health is going to raise awareness in this community."</p><p>After meeting the television icon, she said she was impressed by how genuinely interested he was in learning about Spartanburg and the hospital.</p><p>"He just kept saying how he couldn't believe we have a hospital like Regional in a city the size of Spartanburg. We hear that a lot, but to hear him say it, means a lot more," Breitweiser said. Philbin "is genuine. He's what you see on TV, he doesn't change when the camera is off."</p>